Naomi Lock - Countryside Management

Total hours to date: 3 Hours I have been out for a couple of walks in the last two weeks and took my Mammal Mapper app with me as per my post from 5th October. This was to track signs of wild mammals in the area for a nationwide database, to allow them to see the spread of different mammals through the country.  Unfortunately I didn't see any signs at all! The weather has been very wet and windy, and the river I walk along has been high, so any signs may have been washed away.  However, this evening I did spot a Stoat running along our back fence, unfortunately too fast to get a photograph but registered on the app as a sighting.    The Wildlife Trusts (2020) Stoat. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/stoat   Stoats live in habitats which have sufficient ground cover, as they do not being out in the open, and a good supply of food. They can be spotted in gardens as well as coastal and river areas. As we live backing onto grazing fields ...

 Today I have spoken to my Tutor and she has suggested we try to arrange some work experience either through a former pupil or with another Tutor who may be able to take me out on field surveys in the local area. I will wait to see if this is possible before trying another route.  So far I have a volunteer day with Friends of the Lake District (approx 7 hours) and the Mammal Mapper I can use on walks to survey any Mammal signs.  

Other Options? I have been looking at some other options for work placement / volunteering and looking through this site (https://www.countryside-jobs.com/volunteers/volunteering-organisations/north-west) I have looked at websites and contacted some of the more local ones to see if there are any opportunities available  This includes National Trust, Arnside and Silverdale AONB and Lake District National Park Authority.  Unfortunately so far, none of these groups are taking on volunteers or doing group activities due to Covid restrictions. 

  Work Placement Update I had the responses from some groups as in the previous post, but in the meantime I have been looking for other ways of getting some experience other than in organised groups.  One of the ways was to sign up to an app which is used to survey Mammals around the UK. This is a continuing 'Citizen Survey' being run by The Mammal Society.  Any Mammal sightings or any evidence of Mammal activity can be recorded on the app alongside a map of the area you have been. This can be used whilst out walking or for any one off sightings. On the app you are also able to upload photographs and videos to give the Mammal Society a clear idea of what, where and when Mammal activity is happening around the UK.  I hope to use this whilst out walking during the week.   References The Mammal Society, (2020). Volunteering , www.mammal.org.uk/volunteering/mammal-mapper, viewed 10/05/2020.